Skagit County residents have a new option to seek emergency help with a 911 texting system launched this week.
The text-to-911 system that started Tuesday was implemented primarily for people who are deaf or who have difficulties speaking. Officials said calling 911 is the preferred method of seeking help.
But the texting system also is important in situations where cell phone reception is spotty or it’s not safe for someone to speak over the phone.
In the latter situation, “it still gives them an avenue that may work for them,” Skagit 911 director Helen Rasmussen said.
The Mount Vernon-based Skagit 911 is the primary emergency call center for Skagit County. The center handles the county’s calls and dispatch services for law enforcement, fire and emergency medical services (EMS).
The new texting option also could be lifesaving for people who get lost in the wilderness where phone reception is limited but a text message might get through, Rasmussen added.
Skagit officials tested the system for the past six weeks before the official launch Tuesday.
Some of the guidelines for using text-to-911 include:
- Begin the message by adding the location and nature of the emergency.
- Keep texts brief and concise.
- Be prepared to answer follow-up questions from a 911 operator.
The texts use the same 911 phone system as those calling for help. However, it takes longer to respond to a text, which is why Skagit 911 officials encourage people to call first whenever possible.
Skagit County officials have pursued the texting option for years, Rasmussen said. It took time because the state had to build a network that was able to receive text messages and then county communication centers had to upgrade telephone systems to receive texts.
“This has been a multiple-year project across the state,” Rasmussen said.
Text-to-911 is available in 28 of Washington’s 39 counties. Whatcom County has offered the service for eight months. If an emergency text is sent to a county without the service, the texter will receive a text notice to call 911 instead.
